AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS

 

We live in the lucky country. 

But its not luck – it’s because we choose to live by a set of minimum standards. 

It’s these standards that ensure our everyday lives are safe and that everyone can enjoy a healthy environment.

 

Australia is world renowned for our high standard of living - why would you accept any less?

 

Consumer Choice

Whatever product you choose or from whatever retailer – always be an informed buyer.

 

It is illegal to sell Plumbing Products, Toilets, Tapware, Shower Screens and Electrical Equipment that do not comply and are certified to the relevant Australian Standards and WELS Rating (Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme).

 

The recent influx of seemingly cheaper imports have also brought with it a high degree of poor quality products (some only detectable by industry professionals),

products that DO NOT meet with the relevant Australian Standards, and products that can potentially cause serious bodily and property harm.

 

Products made to the Australian Standard are guaranteed for safety and compatibility to other Australian products.  It is a guarantee that whatever you are buying it is designed for the Australian market, Australian plumbing requirements, Australian water efficiency requirements, Australian electrical requirements and Australian safety requirements.

 

 

AS1288

Glass in Buildings – Selection and Installation

The standard sets out the requirement for use of glass in shower screens.  Shower screens must be manufactured from a specified thickness of Grade A - Toughened or Laminated Toughened Safety Glass according to the maximum glass area.  The ratio of glass thickness to maximum area ensures that the glass application is within the designed stress capabilities of the safety glass.

Table 5.1
MAXIMUM AREA OF SAFETY GLASS - FULLY FRAMED
Type of Glazing	Nominal Glass Thickness	Maximum Area
	(mm)	(m2)
Grade A - Safety Glass
Toughen or Laminated	4	2.2
Table 5.4
MAXIMUM AREA OF SAFETY GLASS - FRAMELESS
Type of Glazing	Nominal Glass Thickness	Maximum Area
	(mm)	(m2)
Grade A - Safety Glass	6	3.0
Toughen or Laminated	8	4.5
	10	6.0

  

AS2208

Safety Glazing Materials in Buildings

The standard sets out the composition requirements for Safety Glass.  Safety Glass must be manufactured to a particular hardening process and fracture characteristics.

 

When safety glass is broken the glass will fragment into a minimum number of pieces per square inch, unlike normal float glass.  When float glass is shattered it can break into dangerous shards of glass.  An example of the contrast between float glass and safety glass can be seen in common everyday scenes of  broken house windows and car windscreens which are toughened and laminated.

 

The characteristics of safety glass are required in order to avoid any serious injury in the event of an accident.

Following is a comparison between safety glass and normal float glass:

                                                                        Safety Glass              Float Glass

• Surface Compression                      <68.94 MPa               24.14 MPa                 
• Edge Compression                          <66.87 MPa